KR20060006019A - Apparatus, system, and method for providing silently selectable audible communication - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and method for providing silently selectable audible communication. The apparatus may include a memory unit for storing a plurality of pre-recorded messages, and a messaging module for selecting, editing and/or transmitting selected messages to a second party for receipt in a voice mode, whereby a conversation may be implemented in a silent mode by at least one party. A method is also provided for adding new messages (or editing old ones) to a silently selectable audible communication system, and for conducting a silently selectable audible conversation.

Description

Devices, systems, and methods for providing audible and selectable audible communications {APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SILENTLY SELECTABLE AUDIBLE COMMUNICATION}

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to telephony technology, and more particularly to apparatus, systems and methods for providing audible selectable audible communication.

As the use of cellular wireless telephones has exploded, for example, a mobile phone user wants to talk to a third party but is prohibited from talking to the third party by the need to remain silent in the place where the phone is used. There are many situations where. Representative examples of such venues are theaters, concert halls, places of worship, classrooms or users attending important meetings.

Turning off cellular phones can be particularly problematic for users who are expecting important incoming calls and the like. It is not easy for the user to leave the room or the auditorium at the time such a call is expected or received. Moreover, people who go out will most likely be disturbed in answering the call.

Thus, it would be very beneficial to have a system that allows a user of a communication device to effectively transmit voice data without speaking to the communication device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least a second key is converted into a pre-recorded speech, a text or a synthesized message is converted into a pre-recorded speech while maintaining noise on the calling telephone apparatus side. A device, system, and method for transmitting to a telephone (remote telephone) device are provided.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a telephony device having a silent message that is selectable for audible transmission is provided. The system is associated with memory for storing a plurality of pre-recorded messages, means for synthesizing two or more messages in real time according to options, memory for message selection, and for receiving at least one selected message in voice mode. And a message transmission module for transmitting at least to others in real time. In this manner, a real-time two-way conversation may be executed in either audible mode or silent mode by one or more users attempting a conversation between one or more users.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, various components of the device may be housed in a conversation device (enclosure) that is connectable to a cellular telephone or other communication device.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, various components of the communication device are miniaturized and included in the housing of the cellular telephone and connected to or designed as part of its circuit.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the various components (software and / or hardware) of the communication device are located in a central facility managed by a service provider. The service provider may require entry of a user code to access a silent communication service from the service provider.

In some embodiments of the invention where the memory module is external to the cellular telephone, the limitation on memory size will not be important. For this reason, a wide variety of messages of longer size may be stored and there may be no need for compression and / or decompression for the message.

According to some embodiments of the invention, there is provided a telephone communication device having a selectable silent message for audible transmission. The system may edit the message in real time to create a new message or modify the message for the caller who wants to receive the message in voice mode. In this way, a real-time two-way conversation may be performed in either the audible mode or the silent mode between the call originator, the call recipient and / or both the call originator and the call recipient.

In some embodiments of the invention, the system may be implemented as part of an operating system of a cellular telephone or other communication device.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a noiseless communication service will enable various call controls such as conference calls, call transfers, and the like.

The principles and manners of operation of the systems, apparatuses and methods according to the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description, which is provided for purposes of illustration and limits the invention to specifics. You will understand that it is not intended to be.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a no-noise communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention wherein real-time messages stored in the system are located at a central facility.

2 is a schematic diagram of a data card useful in combination with the embodiment of FIG.

3 is a diagram illustrating components of a noiseless communication system accommodated in an enclosure connected to a telephone, according to various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating a noiseless communication system having a text keyboard and a display.

5 is a schematic diagram of a noiseless communication system inside a cellular telephone, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

6 is a flow chart illustrating a process for configuring a noiseless communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the invention, in particular adding a new message to the system.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for conducting a conversation using a noiseless communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the components shown in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated relative to other components to more clearly represent the components. In addition, like reference numerals may be used repeatedly throughout the drawings to indicate corresponding or like elements.

The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make the present invention available for a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the embodiments described above will be possible to those skilled in the art, and the overall principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Thus, the present invention should not be limited to the specific embodiments shown or described, but should be taken in the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

The platforms, processes, and displays provided herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other device. Various general purpose computer systems and network equipment may be used with the program in accordance with the teachings herein, and it may be convenient to configure more specific applications for performing the required methods. The required structure for a variety of these systems will be described below. In addition, embodiments of the present invention are not described with reference to any particular programming language. Various programming languages may be used to practice the teachings of the present invention as disclosed herein.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures and components will not be described in order not to obscure the present invention.

The expression "cellular" telephone as used hereinafter will include all mobile telephone devices. In addition, the expression “memory” shall include any type of memory device for storing data.

Specifically, a description is first given with reference to FIG. 1, which shows a telephony communication system 10 having audible message transmission selectable with no noise. Telephony system 10 will include the following components:

Memory module 15 for storing a plurality of pre-recorded messages and / or user data. This memory module may exist as a local memory device (in a telephone device) and / or as a remote (non-local) memory device (eg a cellular operator). The memory device may have a pre-recorded message in memory and / or have an on-demand message in memory.

A synthesizer module 18, which is a text-to-speech conversion module that can be used to synthesize (optionally, in real time) a plurality of possible messages from selected or typed words or expressions. The synthesizer module 18 may combine pre-recorded messages into a conversation, whether the message is a precompiled text message or a message entered during a conversation, and also make it possible to compose a voice message from text.

Connected to a memory and configured to select the required message or to transmit the selected message (in real time) in response to a signal from the keyboard 14 or other data input means (e.g., panel, pad, screen, etc.). It is possible that the message transmission module 12. The message transfer module 12 may also store the new message in the memory 15, thereby creating a source or library of possible messages for a silent conversation (“silent call” session).

The dialog module 101 will convert the digital message data stored in the memory 15 into an analog signal for transmission to the non-digitalization destination. This will convert the message from digital format to analog format for at least analog transmission to the other party.

A module for menu-driven speech 16 that enables the use of at least one possible menu (eg, (a) stored expression, (b) stored word combination, and (c) typed words in real time, etc.). In some cases, text-to-speech conversion module 18 converts the combined or typed word or expression into an analog signal, and the converted analog signal will be transmitted to at least one party directly or through conversion module 101. .

The telephony system 10 includes test means 102 (test-talk conversion) for sending a selected, stored or synthesized message for playback or preview by the speaker 20 of the telephone shown in FIG. 3. You may. The playback of the message may consist of a text-based message on the phone screen, or an audible message played through an insert earphone 84 (ear-speaker) connectable to the phone's speaker or mobile phone 76 (FIG. 5). .

The manual actuation conversion module 100 will function as a control device. The conversion module 100 will enable integration and / or synchronization of manual actuation communications.

The key-to-voice conversion module 28 will enable the "one-touch" noiseless message sending. This key is a number (such as the number "3") or a special key (such as "yes" or "no") for selecting a word or word combination from the memory. Various hotkeys or key combinations may be provided on one or more data cards to further facilitate the efficiency of attempting a "silent conversation." The data card may be provided in multiple languages.

The telephone communication system 10 of the present invention will have one or more components located in the central control facility 24. The control facility 24 may be managed by a telephone service company (service provider), who wishes to use a telephony system 10 made by a telephone user dialing the service company's unique code number 26. Will provide a connection.

Microphone 30 and / or any other input means; Display 32 and / or any other output means; Other system components, such as telephone number storage 34, may be located in the telephone user's domain 36, such as a telephone apparatus or other communication device. Additionally or alternatively, these components may be located in a conversational device (such as "42" or "64"), which may be a mobile device connected to a communication device.

The physical size of the central control facility 24 will be such as to accommodate the memory 15 of any desired size. The installation of the mass memory 15 in the central control facility 24 will make it possible for multiple users to share costs. In addition, the need for compression / decompression of the stored signal will also be eliminated. Moreover, the mass memory 15 will eliminate the need to shorten and store any required clauses or sentences.

Similar reference numerals are used in the remaining figures to identify similar parts.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which shows a data card that can be distributed to telephone users subscribing to telephony system 10 (described with reference to FIG. 1).

Each card lists "n" messages (e.g., 99 messages are shown on card 38). These messages may correspond to messages stored in the mass memory 15 of the central control facility 24 referenced in FIG. 1 or may correspond to messages stored in other memories or databases. The message may be selectable by the minimum number of operations of the user using the telephone keyboard 14, the writing pad or any other input means. The user will know how to use these cards to effectively and silently participate in the conversation.

Even within the same country, data cards will be made available in a variety of languages, since multiple conversations may be conducted in a variety of languages other than that language. Cards 38, 38a, 38b, 38c and the like represent examples of such cards.

3 illustrates a telephony communication system in which components are housed in a communication device 42 connectable to a nearby cellular telephone 44 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Cellular phone 44 is a standard communication device that does not require any change except that it is connected by flexible cable 46 or a wireless connection for data communication between phone 44 and components of conversation device 42. .

The conversation device 42 may include a keyboard 48 or other input means for message selection. The keyboard 48 or other input means may also be used to select a silent mode when needed and to select a message stored in the memory 50 in the dialogue device 42.

The conversation device 42 will include a memory 50 of a capacity suitable for storing "n" voice messages. This message will be converted by the conversion module 52 into an analog signal from the memory 50, which analog signal will be reproduced by the telephone speaker 20, for example. An example of a series of messages that may be sent from conversation device 42 to phone 44 during a "silent" conversation in terms of "silent speaker" is as follows:

[Call answer], [listen for chat-"yes"], [listen for chat-"no"], [listen for chat-"sorry, but we can't talk right now"], [listen for chat-"wait, message" I'll send you "], [Listen to the conversation-" Call my secretary, I'll let you know "], [Write a new message-" Her number is 5558122 "], [Listen to the conversation-" I'll send it back to the secretary ", [Request I'll return the number you called], [hang up] For example, if a delay is required in the response or response, "wait a minute, we are preparing a response" so that the communication device can send a message at some point in the conversation. A message like this may be optional.

In some cases, such as in an emergency, the response may need to be conveyed by sound. For example, if the user understands that the counterpart needs urgent clarification or urgent action is required, the user may enter a speaking mode by pressing an associated function button. Alternatively, the user's voice may enter this mode. This mode will allow the communication device to return to normal speech mode, or function as a composite silent / voice mode where voice input is accepted while the phone is operating in silent mode.

When it is required to check the contents of the stored message before sending the message, the test button 54 is pressed. This button will cause the conversation device 42 to display a message number, for example. The user will enter a message number on the module keyboard 48. Then, the message may be recovered from the memory 50 via the digital / analog conversion module 52, so that the user can listen through the telephone speaker 20.

In some embodiments, the conversation device 42 may be miniaturized to a sufficient extent to remain in the pocket, such as connected to the telephone 44. The conversation device 42 may be a body integrated type, a gripped type or a portable type. The conversation device 42 may be wirelessly connected to the phone 44, thereby enabling wireless data communication between the phone 44 and the conversation device 42.

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 but expanded to include additional services.

The keyboard (reference numeral “48” in FIG. 3) includes an alphabetic alphabet keyboard 56, an alphanumeric keyboard 58, a touch screen or other data input means. The alphabetic keyboard 56 can be used, for example, to implement a message composition mode. By operation of the alphabetic keyboard 56, a text message can be created and selected, sent to another telephone apparatus, and also received from another telephone apparatus. The conversation module may be a "text-to-speech" conversion module (such as "18" in FIG. 1), which will be used to convert words into audible messages. Such an audible message may subsequently be sent to the sender, by the sender, and / or by both the sender and the receiver, where the message will be received and listened in audible form. This communication mode allows the available messages to be extended to meet the needs of the customer, thereby removing the limitations due to pre-recorded messages.

Examples of user messages that a user might add to their message library are:

"Send it to Martin at fax number 123 456."

"Let's meet at X 45 at X Cafe"

The memory 60 will be able to record new voice messages generated by the user. The microphone 62 on the conversation device 64 may be connected to the memory 60 via the bidirectional communication module 66. In this way, a voice message can be input to the telephony communication system 10 without using the cellular telephone 68, a keyboard, or the like.

Examples of such messages that may be recorded are:

"Call 987 654 and let Debbie deal with this."

"Send me this at fax number 456 789"

The telephony system 10 is further provided with a status monitoring display 70 on the exterior of the conversation device 64, and a battery 72 may be provided to provide independent power. An independent power source will enable recording of messages off-line. The conversation device 64 may be of a body type, a gripped type or a portable type. The conversation device 64 may be wirelessly connected to the phone 68 to enable wireless data communication between the phone 68 and the conversation device 64.

Reference is made to FIG. 5, which shows a telephony communication system 74 capable of audible message transmission and communication that can be selected silently. The components of the telephony communication system 74 may be miniaturized by software and / or performed by software and will be included in the housing of the adapted cellular telephone 76 and connected to its circuitry. This configuration is most convenient for users who are satisfied with the use of a limited number of short messages that can be stored without compression. These messages may be selected by using the telephone keyboard 78 after selecting the silent mode 80 or from a menu system 74 which may be located at any point within the cellular telephone 76.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the memory device 82 may be equipped with an outgoing message during the manufacture of the telephone 76. An example of a preloaded message is:

[I can hear you, but I can't speak], [If yes, I'll answer "yes", "no"], [yes], [no], [call within 1 hour], [tell me again] Etc.

To maintain silence, incoming and outgoing call signals and incoming messages may be implemented by a speaker 84 insertable in the ear that may connect to the cellular telephone 76.

Speaker 84 may also be used to attempt to pre-send a message using test-talk module 102 (see FIG. 1) for sending selected, stored or synthesized messages for text playback and / or voice playback or preview. have.

With the development of memory storage technology, both the size and the price of the memory are continuously reduced. Therefore, the extreme spatial limitations inside the cellular telephone will not be important in the future. Therefore, it will be possible to provide a memory device of a capacity large enough to store all the required data therein without using a compression technique or the like.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method for configuring noiseless communication is provided. An example of such a method is shown in FIG. 6, as follows:

The user may select "Noise Communication" from the telephone device button or menu, and may further select a configuration or setting, etc., to further provide a silent communication service. The user may add a message, delete a message, edit a message, preview the message, and the like. An example of a process where a message is added is as follows, and a similar process may be performed to change other settings:

The user will select "Add new message" from the "Configuration" menu. The user will subsequently choose to add a text item or add a voice item.

If the user chooses to add a text item, the text message may be added using a keypad, keyboard, or the like of the telephone apparatus or communication apparatus. In this case, the text message after the input will be converted into a voice message using the text-to-speech conversion module. If the user chooses to add a voice message, the user will be prompted to record the voice message using the microphone. In either case, the new message will be stored in one of the local and / or remote database / memory devices.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided that enables a telephone user to perform audible and selectable audible message transmission or communication and to edit a message in real time using a text-to-speech engine. An example of such a method is illustrated in FIG. 7, as follows:

The user will first set his or her phone to non-ringing mode so that it does not interfere with incoming calls or attempts to make calls. In any case, the user will select "silent mode". The silent mode will initiate the connection to the talk device or service provider. The connection to the service provider will require entry of a user code to secure the connection to the silent communication service from the service provider.

If the noiseless communication system is configured to be implemented by a telephone apparatus, a conversation apparatus and / or a service provider, the service may be, for example, "Hello, I can hear but cannot speak, please tell me the right pre-recorded message or text- I'll write a message that will be pronounced by the talk engine and send it to you. This is an example of a fairly long sentence that may be stored in a database in a telephone apparatus, a conversation apparatus and / or a service provider database. If such messages are stored in local memory (of the telephone apparatus), compression / decompression will be required for use and transmission of such messages.

The user subsequently conducts a "noise conversation" with various features provided by the audible selectable audible message delivery system. The user may click on various buttons in response to the caller's content, or type or enter a code for a particular number, letter or selected text on the telephone device. For example, a user who cannot trust the contents of a stored message will operate the test-talk module 102 to preview it before sending the pre-recorded message. Thus, the user will select the message number to be examined using the keyboard or other input device. The selected message will then be sent to telephone speaker 20 or appear in text form on display 32, thereby giving the user the opportunity to verify the message before sending it. The user may use a card to assist the user in conducting a silent conversation.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to limit the invention to the illustrated form. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The spirit of the invention should not be limited by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. For example, although the present invention has been described with respect to a cellular telephone device, the idea of the present invention may include a wired telephone device or any other communication device.

Claims (26)

A telephone communication apparatus for providing audible communication that can be selected without noise, A memory device for storing a plurality of pre-recorded messages; And Message sending module for transmitting in silent mode at least one selected audible message between the sender and the receiver Telephony device comprising a. The method of claim 1, And a synthesizer for converting a text message into a voice message. The method of claim 1, And a testing mechanism for sending at least one selected message for preview by the user. The method of claim 1, And a communication device for receiving at least one of the communication device components. The method of claim 4, wherein And the communication device is external to the communication device and is connected to the communication device. The method of claim 5, And the communication device is connected to the communication device in a manner selected from the group consisting of a wired method and a wireless method. The method of claim 1, And the message transmission module comprises a keyboard. The method of claim 1, And wherein said message sending module is adapted to add a message to a memory. The method of claim 1, And adding a message data to at least one format selected from the group consisting of a voice message and a text message generated by the user, thereby creating a new message. The method of claim 9, And the text message is converted into a voice message by a conversion module. The method of claim 1, Further comprising a condition monitoring display. The method of claim 1, And said memory is loaded with an outgoing message during manufacture. The method of claim 1, And a service provider facility for managing an audible selectable audible message transmission service. The method of claim 1, The fraud service provider facility provides a user code for accessing a silently selectable audible message transfer service. The method of claim 1, And a data card distributed to telephone users subscribing to a telephone communication system, the data card listing messages stored in the memory. The method of claim 15, And the data card is available in various languages. A method for adding a new message to an audible communication system that can be selected without noise, Selecting a silent communication configuration mode; Selecting a mode for adding a new message; Adding a new message; And Storing the new message in at least one memory device How to add a new message to the audible selectable audible communication system comprising a. The method of claim 17, The adding of the new message is performed by adding the message in at least one message format selected from the group consisting of a text message and a voice message. The method of claim 18, And when the text message is added, converting the text message into a voice message using a text-to-speech conversion module. The method of claim 17, And the memory device is at least one memory device selected from the group consisting of a local memory device and a remote memory device. In the noiseless communication method, Selecting a silent communication mode for the first telephone apparatus; Connecting at least one of the telephone apparatuses to a memory device storing an audible selectable noiselessly during a communication process with at least a second communication apparatus; Providing at least a start message from at least one said memory device; And Conducting noiseless communication by at least one of the telephone apparatuses by acquiring a noiseless selectable audible message from the memory device; Noiseless communication method comprising a. The method of claim 21, Further comprising initiating a noiseless communication by a user. The method of claim 21, Comprising a message, and transmitting the written message in real time. The method of claim 21, Noiseless communication method further comprising the step of implementing a plurality of call functions. The method of claim 21, And the memory device is at least one device selected from the group consisting of a local database and a remote database. The method of claim 21, And performing noiseless conversion between the plurality of communication devices.

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